Classroom Conversations

An outstanding collection of classic readings on teaching and learning from Dewey to Delpit—the age-old ritual of the parent-teacher conference will never be the same again

“A book by concerned educators, for concerned citizens, reminding us all that both teaching and learning can be exciting endeavors.” —David C. Berliner, author of The Manufactured Crisis: Myths, Fraud, and the Attack on America's Public Schools

In Classroom Conversations, two generations of educators—a mother and daughter—point us to the great thinkers who have shaped their beliefs and practices in education, and who continue to influence teachers today. Nineteen essays by educators from Dewey to Delpit offer parents and new educators an education degree in a nutshell. The Milettas frame these touchstone texts with commentary explaining why these writers resonate for them, sharing not only the personal meanings they have derived from the selections but why these writings have endured in the field over time. Brief biographies set each author in context for the lay reader.

As educational fads and jargon come and go, parents and teachers alike will appreciate and find value in the wisdom distilled here. Classroom Conversations will help experienced teachers find renewed meaning in these seminal essays and will help younger teachers discover just how important the work they do can be. For parents, the book will inform and enrich their understanding of their children’s educational experience.